LSU: The Tigers were the conference's surprise last year after adding seven games to their win total from the previous season, but they will start from scratch this season with head coach Johnny Jones. He gets back three starters from last year's squad, including 5-foot-9 guard Andre Stringer (10.1 PPG, 2.7 APG) who must improve on his 34.9% FG in order to become this team's true leader. The player who might need to step up most is 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Johnny O'Bryant III (8.5 PPG, 6.7 RPG), who displayed great potential in his first go around, but experienced the same struggle with efficiency as Stringer, making just 39.9% of his field goals. Well-rounded Anthony Hickey (8.9 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.8 APG) rejoins Stringer in the backcourt, but he couldn't make a basket from anywhere on the floor (38.4% FG, 31.4% threes) including a dreadful 55.3% on his free throws.

S CAROLINA: The Gamecocks hit a new low last season after posting just two SEC wins, but should have positive change on the way in the form of new head coach Frank Martin. He'll have to contend with a transfer-depleted roster, and wait for last year's leading passer Bruce Ellington (11.0 PPG, 3.1 APG) to finish football season. The team's hopes down low will rely mostly with 7-foot freshman Laimonas Chatkevicius, while Southern Miss transfer LaShay Page will need to make an immediate impact.